ISLAMABAD, June 13, 2014: The Punjab Minister for Finance presented the budget in the provincial assembly amidst the protest of opposition lawmakers on Friday during first sitting of 9^th session, says Free and Fair Election Network in its Daily Factsheet.

Along with the Punjab Finance Bill, 2014, the minister also presented the Annual Budget Statement for the year 2014-2015 and the Supplementary Budget Statement for the year 2013-2014. He laid down the notifications relating to the amendments in the Second Schedule of the Punjab Sales Tax on Services Act 2012 and the Rules made under the Act.

The Finance Minister took an hour and 22 minutes to present the budget. The lawmakers belonging to PPPP, PML and an independent started chanting slogans against the Speaker with the beginning of budget speech and continued their protest till adjournment of the sitting.

The Chief Minister attended the sitting for an hour and 23 minutes.

The members also observed a moment of silence for the deceased father of a minority lawmaker.

Following are some key observations of the Parliamentary business:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings:

• The Punjab Assembly met for an hour and 37 minutes.
• The sitting started at 1705 hours against the scheduled time of 1500 hours, witnessing a delay of two hours and five minutes.
• Two hundred and thirty four members were present at the start, 89 at the adjournment while a maximum 257 at the time of adjournment.
• The Speaker chaired the entire sitting.
• The Chief Minister attended the sitting for an hour and 23 minutes while the Leader of the Opposition was there for the entire sitting.
• The parliamentary leaders of PPPP and PML-Z attended the sitting.
• Six minority members were present.
• No member applied for the leave.

Output

• Along with the Punjab Finance Bill, 2014, the minister also presented the Annual Budget Statement for the year 2014-2015 and the Supplementary Budget Statement for the year 2013-2014.
• The minister laid down the notifications relating to the amendments in the Second Schedule of the Punjab Sales Tax on Services Act 2012 and the Rules made under the Act ibid. The Finance Minister took an hour and 22 minutes to present the budget.

Order and Institutionalization

• The lawmakers belonging to PPPP, PML and an independent started chanting slogans against the Speaker with the beginning of the budget speech and continued their protest till adjournment of the sitting.
• The members also observed a moment of silence for the deceased father of a minority lawmaker.

Transparency

• ‘Orders of the day’ was available to the legislators, observers and others.
• Information on members’ attendance was unavailable to observers and the public.

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The Daily Factsheet is based on direct observation of Punjab Assembly proceedings conducted by PATTAN Development Organization, a member organization of FAFEN